The title is reflective of my understanding of global events… though seems to be an appropriate strap-line for many of us and for many of those in the political scene. Have they not read anything on how empires collapse. I’ve read a little but have also read the book that either they have not read or they think helps them ‘hasten the day of the Lord’s coming’ through initiating Armageddon (a place that does not even exist!). Read it politically and it does not take long to realise that there are contrasts of enormous proportions: the lion (such a favourite image for us Christian lot) is actually a lamb (and actually a diminutive – a ‘little lamb’: no more mentions of ‘lion’ in that book for the ‘lion’ we have heard about was always a lamb slain from the foundation of the world); beasts full of visible power… Life poured out or centralised power that takes life (Rev. 18:13 – last of the 28 ‘cargoes’ (7×4 = fullness of the world) is that of human lives). Imperial power – the few at the centre promising benefits to all who comply but the benefits flow back to the few at the top… and when looking for increased authority will claim (or be attributed) to act with divine authority. At that stage the writing is on the wall for all to read.
Last night a huge night in Hungary… and so a huge night in Europe. Last night quite big here too. Dreaming with discussions with regard to Orban, meeting (probably) the strongest theologian in Europe currently – a first for me. It kind of put last night’s elections into a theological space.
People choose right or left (or supposed centre) for many reasons but Scripture puts humanity at the centre – not economy, nor even foreign policy. I am in Deuteronomy at the moment and have just read a couple of days ago Deut. 15 that commands the relief of poverty as a major priority (the passage that Jesus quotes ‘the poor you will always have with you’ – it is a rebuke NOT an endorsement of the system…). This is why the economy is a top political aspect – if we pray ‘let your kingdom come’ – though not as put forth by the majority of politicians!
Immigration that knows no boundaries is indeed an issue, but the dehumanisation and demonising of the ‘stranger’ is a kingdom issue.
Some two years back Gayle had the most significant dream of her life (I reckon she has 3-4 every month that are clearly and specifically from God). In it the weight of responsibility came on Europe and how Europe responded to Palestine would prove vital. In the dream ultra-Zionist Christians went in one direction and believers (not anti-Semitic but anti-genocide) and humanists came together. At the same time one of the people cleanest with regard to power.abuse / hierarchy was present with a mushroom on his nose (culture that we are blind to in spite of being as obvious as the nose on our face). We ALL have blind areas – there is so much more of the emptying out of power to come.
If Europe could find a new way forward then the next element would be that of the economic system (and all we need do is read the current stats if we need convincing – one of the supposed strongest economies is so in debt that if spread out among the entire population would mean each individual owes over 100,000 (and add here whatever currency you wish: £, €, $). Unsustainable.
Deuteronomy 15.
Time will tell if the election result in Hungary is a move forward, but one aspect I have noticed in almost every area is when change comes there is often a rocking back and forth until something gives way.
Christendom – the claim to have God’s authority to vindicate our actions that are anti-humanitarian and in the process to centralise our (in our image) form of Christianity is over… however these past days I have been focused on an instructive verse in Revelation:
One of its [the beast rising out of the sea] heads seemed to have received a death blow, but its fatal wound had been healed. In amazement the whole earth followed the beast (Rev. 13:3).
Every beast that receives a mortal wound looks for a resurrection, a resurrection that prolongs the life. This is what we are seeing currently with regard to Christendom. But the wound is mortal, so it is time to state that in the key places… the key of all places of course as always is one’s own heart.
If we can do that, then the final part of the dream Gayle had can begin. Let the economy play with the children in the grass. Currently economies (primarily Western) sacrifice the future or present blessing – and see how that is biblicaly critiqued.
I consider that last night was big… big in the sense of a small step within Europe. Not at the level of a party that has demonised others as losing power they held for 16 years, but at the theological level of humanising:
Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.’
‘And who is my neighbour?’
